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Latvia is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with forests covering approximately 53% of the country s territory. Forest regeneration often involves the creation of monocultures, which can harm biodiversity and forest sustainability. Intensive planting and the replacement of natural forests with uniform stands increase the vulnerability of forest ecosystems in the long term. Increasing climatic stress is a primary factor contributing to the widespread presence of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typo...

The river Iskar is the object of study. The development aims to update the technological scheme of the resource of surface water bodies for a new reference climatic period (1991-2020) and estimate the annual average values at the end of each water body. For the study, 20 gauging stations were used, which currently represent the NIMH monitoring network in the catchments of the streams on which the resource is based. In terms of area, the stations cover the whole catchment relatively evenly. For the study, the annua...

The valorization of unconventional raw materials as functional ingredients in food fortification is a sustainable solution for the development of innovative products. The primary objective of this study was to explore the active biological potential of quinoa flour (QF) and select vegetable purees (sweet potato, spinach, and red beet) and their valorization in the development of muffin formulations with improved sensory, nutritional, physical and phytochemical properties. Rice flour (RF) was substituted with QF at...

The monitoring of open-pit slope stability is critical for safety, economic, and environmental reasons. The comprehensive approach to monitoring has been analyzed, addressing safety, economic, technological, ecological, legislative, and social responsibility aspects, ultimately contributing to sustainable mining practices. Various methods and technologies for monitoring slope stability have been determined as essential. Visual inspections are useful, but they depend on the qualifications of the observer and may ov...

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have emerged as replacements for banned brominated flame retardants, raising growing environmental concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. Despite their global detection, limited data exist for marine environments such as the Black Sea, where monitoring is hindered by the lack of sensitive analytical methods. This study reports the development and validation of a reliable LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of eight OPFRs an...

Drilling fluid viscosity is a critical parameter influencing the efficiency and safety of drilling operations, yet real-time monitoring under dynamic conditions remains challenging due to varying temperature, pressure, and flow rates. This study develops algorithms for continuous, automated viscosity monitoring of drilling fluids to optimize drilling processes. The primary objective is to design robust algorithms capable of accurate viscosity predictions in real-time, addressing limitations of traditional manual m...

Technical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres generated by the presence of combustible dusts is provided with enclosures that must be designed in such a way as to ensure protection against the ingress of solid bodies and/or dust, as well as water, a concept materialized by the notion of normal protection degree. or increase protection (international code IP). The expression of the normal degree of protection of the casing of a technical equipment is done through the group of letters IP ...

Zephyr AGH represents an attempt to address the need for low-emission transportation. In its initial iteration, it was a race vehicle powered by compressed air. Currently, the project is being developed with a focus on maximizing its utility, particularly in urban traffic conditions. Due to the low energy density of compressed air, it is not a sufficient standalone energy carrier for individual transportation. To maintain the low-emission profile of the vehicle, the design team decided to integrate electric motors...

The paper presents the research methodology of an interdisciplinary project dedicated to the study of the land-sea interaction along the southern part of the Western Black Sea coast. The research area covers the Medni Rid part of the Strandzha coast, which provides favorable conditions for coastal navigation and port activities since ancient times. The project aims to establish the real factors and the regular features in the behavior of local communities in the context of land-sea interaction in the Western Black...

In the era of advancing digitization, the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in the construction industry is increasingly evident at advanced level. However, the use of BIM tools during the operational phase of buildings-beyond traditional design and construction-remains a niche area, with integrated digital facility management practices still limited in adoption. In this article, the authors focus on presenting an example of pilot project of implementation of the digital Common Data Env...

The idea of making learning enjoyable using games, GBL, encourages students to think out of the box, work with others and oversee individual learning. This paper investigates GBL by explaining its theoretical framework and explaining the advantages while putting into perspective the practice issues such as lack of sufficient resources and hostility towards change. This segment provides evidence of two educational games that were adapted digitally. The Circular Economy game which is an offshoot of the Quadruple Hel...

The article explores the powerful synergy between digitalisation and environmental sustainability as a foundation for building resilient and future-oriented societies. The research is based on the development of the concept of digitalisation and greening, which are two complementary areas that play an important role in the modern development of society, the economy and technology. By integrating cutting-edge technologies - such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain - with gre...

The development of geospatial technologies in recent years has profoundly changed the field of topography and cadastre. Now, digital methods using LiDAR, drones, GNSS, and multispectral imaging provide a detailed three-dimensional picture of land, buildings, and ecosystems on campuses. This research examines the combined use of digital topography and remote sensing technologies to manage and capitalize on the resources of the University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara. By integrating data from LiDAR...

This paper investigates the relationship between technological advancement and sustainability, specifically examining whether countries with larger digital workforces and higher income levels use energy more efficiently. Drawing on annual data from 27 European countries between 2013 and 2023, we analyze three key indicators: the number of employed ICT specialists ([isoc_sks_itspt]), real GDP per capita in chain-linked 2020 euros ([sdg_08_10]), and energy intensity of GDP in chain-linked 2015 volumes ([nrg_ind_ei])...

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the most critical European Union (EU) policies, making a significant financial contribution to agriculture and rural development. As a result of CAP reforms, support payments change as they adapt to the global context, thereby contributing to economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Therefore, the present research aims to assess CAP support payments in the context of building more sustainable and resilient agriculture in EU Member States. The research emplo...

Urban green infrastructure is often promoted as a form of nature-based solutions (NbS) designed to simultaneously address environmental, social, and economic challenges. These interventions are expected to deliver benefits across all three dimensions. While existing evidence suggests that urban NbS can indeed tackle multiple issues concurrently, it remains unclear to what extent different components of green infrastructure contribute to these outcomes, and how this translates into practical decisions related to pl...

The circular economy represents a real opportunity to support the sustainable development of rural communities by promoting efficient resource use, waste reduction, and the creation of resilient local economic chains. The generation of new jobs and, consequently, economic development, the reduction of waste quantities and the sustainable valorization of local resources, the promotion of ecological agriculture and bioeconomy, the development and promotion of sustainable forms of tourism, and the reduction of pollut...

The recurrence of droughts increased in the past decades and is foreseen to intensify affecting larger areas than today. As agriculture is among the economic sectors most vulnerable to climate change, with drought representing a key challenge for crop productions, this study assesses the probability of yield loss for major Romanian crops such as, winter wheat, maize, sunflower, grape, in response to varying intensities of drought. To achieve this, a probabilistic modeling framework was constructed, integrating the...

Particulate pollutants are generated at all stages of the preparation of the moulding and core mixture, during the handling of raw materials, during mixing and preparation of the moulding mixture in the mixers, during the moulding process itself, and during both manual and machine moulding. The reason for the generation of a relatively large amount of dust in all the operations associated with the manufacture of moulds and cores is the moulding mixture used, the basis of which is abrasive, i.e. sand, whether quart...

The presented scientific study analyzes the long-term regional trends in the intra-annual distribution of river flow in selected catchments in Kazakhstan: the Buktyrma River - Lesnaya Pristan village, Zhabay River - Atbasar city, Ulken-Kobda River - Kobda village, located in the basins of the Buktyrma, Esil and Zhaiyk rivers, respectively, from 1985 to 2022 years. The river basins were selected as regions characterized by different geographical features of flow formation, significantly affected by climate change. ...

In today-s world, where climate change and environmental protection are becoming increasingly pressing issues, education needs to adapt to prepare young generations to understand and respond to these challenges. Integrating Earth sciences into the classroom is essential for building environmental awareness and developing sustainable practices. This article proposes a plan for integrating environmental education into the curriculum. Earth sciences encompass a variety of disciplines, including geology, meteorology, ...

Lately, the waste black liquor generated through paper manufacturing, has been increased in amounts, which represents a threat to the environment and human health. On the other hand, there is a great concern related to the energy crisis occurring all over the world. The use of fossil fuels through the combustion process generates greenhouse gas emissions being harmful to the environment. For this reason, the principle of the circular economy must be taken into account, ``nothing is lost, everything is transformed'...

Although cities are developing rapidly and dynamically, they also face serious challenges related to the environment, the health of the population and the quality of life. Ecological urbanism seeks to respond to these challenges by integrating green infrastructure into urban landscapes. This approach not only improves the aesthetics of cities, but also contributes to sustainable development, improving public health and increasing biodiversity. The main idea is that cities should function not only as places to live...

In the development of plant communities within permanent grasslands, key environmental factors include relief, climate, soil characteristics, groundwater, and anthropogenic influence. The primary objective of this study was to identify the interdependence between the botanical composition of the plant community, plant productivity, and the main biotope characteristics. The ecological and forage value assessment of the studied ecosystem involved evaluating species requirements for the following ecological indicator...

Facing of growing challenges related to the climate crisis and environmental degradation, this paper explores the strategic combination of an ecological perspective with a safety culture in order to build the sustainable resilience of social-technical systems. Traditional safety culture focuses on reducing of the risk of operational accident. However, in modern society, this needs to be extended to planetary and environmental risks. The aim of this work is to develop a theoretical Ecological Safety Culture Framewo...

Sustainable cooking technologies are widely recognized as essential for reducing household air pollution and mitigating climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite international policy efforts, adoption rates in rural regions remain low. This study investigates the economic and demographic determinants of cleaner cooking adoption among 625 women in the Usangu Plain, southern Tanzania. Using a structured survey dataset and a linear probability model with village fixed effects, we estimate the association between ...

High demands on casting quality require modernization of technology and innovation of technological equipment. The growth of the cost of input raw materials for casting production forces manufacturers to rationalize production and reduce production costs. In addition to the manufacture of the mold, the metallurgy of liquid metal production is an important indicator of the efficiency of casting production. In terms of production costs, the global trend is towards increasing the share of steel scrap in the batch at ...

The article highlights the critical role of liquidity management in banks and underscores the need for legislative-level changes in regulation and the assessment of climate risks in banks to achieve financial stability. Banks face growing expectations from regulators and society to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their business practices, as well as strengthen liquidity and control over climate risks. The article highlights the importance of prioritising the correct regulation o...

The article considers the prospects for the development of industrial tourism in the two-tiered anthropogenic landscapes of the Kryvyi Rih landscape-technical system. Five main features of industrial tourism in this region are highlighted. The presence of powerful mineral deposits, which contributes to the active development of the mining industry, is analysed, and as a result, the main locations for the development of industrial tourism are identified. The paper provides examples of such locations as the quarry o...

The research investigates the impact of persistent organic pollutants, particularly pesticides, on the aquatic ecosystems of the Jiul de Est basin. Pesticides are introduced into water bodies via surface runoff, infiltration, and atmospheric deposition, and their bioavailability is influenced by factors such as pH, temperature, and dissolved organic matter. The research evaluates the ecotoxicological effects on key aquatic species, including Salmo trutta fario (river trout) and Squalius cephalus (common chub), by ...

Adapting to a Circular Economy (CE) within the context of ongoing digital transformation calls for a significant rethinking of educational models. Future professionals must be prepared with technical knowledge and the ability to think in systems and adapt to emerging digital environments. This research tends to analyse how different digital tools (i.e., digital platforms, blockchain, digital twins, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence) can be effectively integrated into educational practices support...

The global climate and biodiversity crises demand an educated, globally literate citizenry, yet a significant gap exists in engaging diverse, multilingual student populations in Environmental and Earth Sciences (EES). This research argues for a transformative pedagogical fusion that integrates EES content with language acquisition strategies in multilingual classrooms. Moving beyond simple translation, we propose a language-sensitive, content-rich approach that leverages students linguistic repertoires as assets f...

In-situ combustion (ISC) is considered one of the most effective method to increase oil recovery from heavy oil and bitumen. Oxygen of injected air reacts with the heavy crude oil components, forming a hot zone, in which the oxidation and cracking of heavy fractions occur. It is known that catalysts of various types can significantly improve the processes of oil upgrading and increase the efficiency of thermal tertiary methods of oil production. This work devoted to study the influence of mixed oxide catalyst pres...

Microalgae are increasingly recognized for their potential in nutrient recovery from wastewater. This study investigated the effect of physical pretreatment of dairy wastewater on the growth and nutrient assimilation of Scenedesmus subspicatus. Cultures were maintained for 14 days in three media: standard Bristol medium, untreated dairy wastewater, and physically pretreated dairy wastewater. Chlorophyll-a content and magnesium concentration were monitored on days 0, 7, and 14 to evaluate algal growth and nutrient ...

This work is aimed at the search of optimal conditions of selective hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol (MBY) to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBE). The main question was if the common slurry reactors are suitable for this reaction under ambient hydrogen pressure with the use of environmentally friendly solvents. Thus, we investigated the effect of the reactor type (shaker-type or slurry), temperature and solvent nature (isopropanol, n-butanol or toluene were used) on the behavior of a palladium catalysts (1 wt.% of P...

Food industry generates high amounts of waste that can be valorized to produce energy by fermentation and conversion in biogas. This paper aimed to study the effects of biomass type (vegetal, animal and mix) and fermentation temperature (35, 40, 45 degrees Celsius) on methane concentration and energy production in a biogas plant in Suceava, Romania. An I-optimal mixture-process design was used for mathematical modelling of the data. The optimization of factors was performed by using desirability function and setti...

The efficiency of the possessed forest resources in relation to gross value added (GVA) produced in forestry of fourteen European Union member states (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden) in 2022 is assessed by means of Data envelopment analysis (DEA), an input-oriented BCC model with variable returns to scale (VRS). On this grounds is established that in the forestry of 7 EU member states (Austria (0,89), Bulgaria (0,71), Croatia (0...

The urgent need to combat climate change has driven the search for sustainable transportation solutions. Electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-powered cars, offering the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions. This article provides a detailed analysis and comparison of these two technologies, focusing on their technical, economic, and environmental aspects. EVs rely on batteries to store electrical energy, which ...

Accurate forecasting of reservoir inflows based on historical data is essential for effective water resources planning and management. Water flow forecasting presents a major challenge due to the nonlinear, non-stationary, stochastic, and highly noisy nature of water flows in rivers and inflows into reservoirs. These complex characteristics hinder the modeling process and limit the effectiveness of conventional prediction methods, making it difficult to achieve high accuracy results. This study explores the use of...

In a rapidly changing world, where climate change and sustainable development are among the most important challenges, education plays a key role in preparing young generations for the future. Environmental education not only provides knowledge about the environment but also empowers students to be active participants in solving environmental problems. In this article, we examine the importance of environmental education in modern curricula and the ways in which it contributes to the development of responsible and...

This paper explores the relationship between energy availability and rural domestic architecture in the Ier Valley, a historically agrarian microregion in northwestern Romania. Focusing on the period 1901-1905, the study investigates whether fluctuations in agricultural productivity-and, by extension, in the energy surplus available to peasant households-may have influenced construction practices and spatial organization. The research draws inspiration from Barnabas Calder-s [1] energy-centered historiography, ada...

The energy security of the Czech Republic (CR) and the European Union (EU) has become a key strategic issue over the past decade, as highlighted by the recent energy crisis caused by dependence on energy imports from geopolitically unstable regions. The field of energy security is a complex and strategic issue influenced by numerous factors. Technological advances, digitalisation, electromobility, the development of AI, geopolitical upheavals and the drive for decarbonisation are all increasing the demand for a st...

The paper presents an experimental pilot research, for the study of the integration of the electrical energy vector from a primary regenerative source with the thermal energy vector, for the purpose of residential air conditioning. The research referred to a period with the lowest ambient temperature. Furthermore, the research aims to highlight the economic problems for a local scale (residential heating) when using thermal energy produced by a heat pump with consumption and electricity produced with the help of o...

The article discusses the advantages of using cryogenic technology in the production of gravel filter elements. A method for calculating the main components for the production of temporarily monolithic annular gravel elements is described. An approach has been developed for the strength analysis of annular gravel filter bits, taking into account installation conditions and the effect of water flow in the aquifer. An analytical calculation was performed to determine the distribution of gravel packing in the behind-...

The engineering industry and foundry sector are at a crossroads between traditional manufacturing processes and modern technologies that are fundamentally changing the way metal components for the energy, railway, automotive, petrochemical, shipbuilding, and mining industries are manufactured. The starting point is a global PESTLE analysis of the industry as a whole (i.e., at both the European and Czech levels), which is then supplemented by the perspective of a specific representative of the engineering industry ...

The article examines the issues of effectiveness improving of use of geopotential of solid mineral deposits based on increasing knowledge about geological resources. The authors reveal the theoretical basis of the category -geopotential-. Special attention is paid to the features of cluster structure of deposits, where in the contours of the mining there are up to fifty and more percent of empty rocks and substandard reserves. The article proposes to keep account of natural patterns of mineral matter distribution,...

Agroforestry and agrovoltaics are emerging as key strategies for sustainable land use, combining economic, environmental and social benefits. The integration of digital technologies, AI and blockchain-based solutions increases the transparency, efficiency and scalability of agroforestry projects. Ukraine, with its strong agricultural sector, faces challenges related to climate change, resource depletion and war-induced environmental damage. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, s...

Agriculture sector has a major role in food security worldwide, through its contribution to the production and availability of highly nutritious and safe foods such as meats, eggs, milk and vegetables. There has been an interest in the production of designer poultry eggs to meet the need of consumers with a healthy lifestyle. Chicken eggs represent a relevant diet source of cholesterol. Compared to other animal protein sources, eggs contain proportionately less saturated fat, which has generally been recognized as...

The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are a valuable source of hydrogen on fuel industry or precursors of polyhydroxyalkanoates, a highly in trend and non-toxic bioplastics. However, the VFAs generation costs are expensive. Therefore, this study proposed a recycling solution of the waste activated sludge (WAS) into VFAs by non-conventional treatment with tandem steps of energic and slow oxidation in alkaline media by hybrid treatment with ozone and sodium percarbonate (SPC), followed by semi-aerobic fermentation at 22oC...

Ensuring safety from the point of view of the air is determined by the importance of re-ducing the risks of untimely appearance of toxic and explosive gases in the underground workings of the salt mine, while maintaining safety and security sanity at work by monitoring and foreseeing possible failures and voluntary conscious actions under-ground. Still keeping in mind the context of the society from the socio-political-economic point of view and for the development of knowledge in the problem studied the following...